Dear Queenie,

We have always been on good terms with our neighbors and they look after our pets when we go away so they have keys to our house. A couple of months ago the husband made a pass at my wife and she turned him down, but she was very upset about it and since then we haven’t had anything to do with them.

Queenie, should we tell his wife what happened? And should we ask for our keys back?—Offended husband

Dear Husband,

Change the locks on your doors and make other plans for your pets when you go away. If your neighbour’s wife asks why you have done this, tell her. Your friendship with her can go on, but without her husband. And suggest that she have a complete physical examination, in case her husband tried and succeeded with someone else.

Dear Queenie,

I’m divorced, dating a man who is also divorced, and we are just perfect for each other, but he doesn’t want to get married because he said his previous marriage ended because there wasn’t any sex and he’s afraid that if we get married the physical part of our relationship will just stop.

Queenie, how can I convince him that won’t happen, or should I just give up on him?—Confused divorcee

Dear Divorcee,

If you can be happy with this man without getting married, stick with him. But if you insist on getting married this man is not for you and you will have to find someone else.

Dear Queenie,

My mother-in-law has never treated me like one of the family. She very often does not include me in a family event, and she treats my children (her son’s children!) the same way.

My husband thinks I should just put up with all this and not let it bother me, but Queenie, how much can I be expected to take before I just walk away?—Offended daughter-in-law

Dear Daughter-In-Law,

It is up to your husband to make it clear to his mother that you and your children are part of the family and should be treated as such. Things will stay the same until he does so.

Until then, have as little contact with your mother-in-law as possible and when you do see her treat her with respect, as difficult as you may find it.

Dear Queenie,

I’m going to have a baby, my first child, and it’s a boy. Some of my friends say it’s harder to raise a boy child and some say it’s harder to raise a girl.

Queenie, who is right?—Mother-to-be

Dear Mother-to-be,

There are different problems associated with raising a boy or a girl, but either one is just as difficult as the other. For information you can depend on, talk to your obstetrician and later your paediatrician, and possibly a professional counsellor as the child grows older.